Florida

It is really quite nice that about once a year my family manages to get together for a little vacation. This year, like last, we went to Florida. This year was my 30th Birthday and my bother and father planned a pretty special trip to play the TPC at Sawgrass. On the list of courses a golfer would love to play before he dies, in no particular order, includes Augusta National (not bloody likely when presidents have a difficult time getting a slot), the old course at St. Andrews in Scotland, Pebble Beach, and the TPC at Sawgrass. Sawgrass, of course, is home to the fabled 17th hole, a devilish 125 yard par three that you either hit the green or your add your ball to the 120,000 their hired diver retrieves yearly. My father, a 12 handicapper in his prime, found the middle while my brother, myself, and Evan the hooters tour professional we were paired with all found a the water. My second shot landed dead centre and I calmly made four. The real highlight for me came at the par 4 18th and the menacing tea shot. My brother captured a great photo of me coming through the golf ball and it was likely the prettiest drive I hit all day. A 296 yard tea shot that left me 131 yards from the pin. Only one person has ever recorded a birdie on the 18th enroute to the players championship.

The highlight for my brother was deep sea fishing. I would rather jump in a tub full of scissors than spend an afternoon on the Gulf Of mexico trolling for grouper. As tasty as they are fresh, the act of fishing holds no enjoyment for me at all. Here is a photo of the crew minus me at the end of the day. Mark and James are holding the prize fish of the day.